Combination syringe package, syringe and chamber



Aug. 20, 1968 R. w. OGLE I 3,397,694

COMBINATION SYRINGE PACKAGE, SYRINGE AND CHAMBER Filed July 6, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Final E24. 2 E16. 3. i III l/ a z 5 59 z a 25 60 i i A s 52 57 Z2 Z2 54 Z7 38/ .30 1 25 t 39 a9 1 1 l a l i '15 11 INVENTOR. {@3587 M 0646' BY in %M R. w. OGLE 3,397,694

SYRINGE AND CHAMBER Aug. 20, 1968 COMBINATION SYRINGE PACKAGE,

Filed July 6, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ema United States Patent 3,397,694 COMBINATION SYRINGE PACKAGE,

SYRINGE AND CHAMBER Robert W. Ogle, Phoenix, Ariz., assignor to C.S.M. Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 6, 1965, Ser. No. 469,467 14 Claims. (Cl. 128-272) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A novel syringe construction comprising a syringe barrel, a plunger received in the open end of said barrel and adapted to be longitudinally reciprocated therein, a centrally disposed boss on the closed end of said syringe barrel, a needle cover structure for said needle, one end of which seals on said boss, the other end of said cover having a chamber therein, one end of said chamber being in proximity to the open end of said needle and nOrmally separated therefrom by a first stopper slidably mounted in said chamber, a second stopper in that end of the chamber remote from the open end of said needle and spaced from said first stopper, said second stopper also being slidable within the chamber, said chamber between said stoppers being adapted to contain a fluid, and means associated with said second stopper whereby upon the exertion of pressure on said first stopper said fluid communicates said pressure to said second stopper and slidably moves said second stopper to open communication for said fluid to said syringe barrel.

This invention relates to a combination syringe package, syringe and chamber wherein the syringe has a barrel designed to hold a liquid or powder and a plunger designed to slide within said barrel and a tip or needle cover and a casing provided together to form a complete housing for said syringe and in which said syringe may or may not be provided with a cannula or needle and in which means are provided for temporarily isolating a medicament contained in said barrel from a chamber associated with said cover and having means for communicating the contents of said chamber with the contents of said syringe barrel when desired.

It is a feature of this invention that when the syringe is provided with a needle a plug is provided in the syringe barrel to isolate the contents of the syringe barrel from the needle which plug is securely retained in place until it is desired to use the syringe but is dislodged prior to the using of the syringe or the mixing of the contents of the syringe with the contents of the chamber.

It is a furher feature of this invention that the chamber associated with the cover may be provided with a plurality of zones containing a plurality of separate fluids which may be mixed with the medicament contained in the syringe barrel.

It is a further feature of this invention that where the syringe is not provided with a needle it is provided with a tapered boss to fit the internally tapered end of a conventional separate syringe needle.

It is a further feature of this invention that slidable elastic plugs are provided in the chamber which upon actuation communicate the contents of the chamber to the syringe upon the application of pressure to the slidable plugs to cause the contents of the chamber to enter the syringe barrel either through the syringe needle or if no needle is utilized through the boss formed upon the barrel to the syringe.

It is a further feature of this invention that a screw threaded cap may be provided on the exterior of the chamber including means for contacting one of the slidable plugs for applying pressure thereto with the mechanical 3,397,694 Patented Aug. 20, 1968 advantage afforded by the pitch of the threads of the screw cap.

It is a further feature of this invention that the chamber means may be actuated by a threaded cap as above stated or by merely using thumb pressure and that the chamber means forming a part of this invention are interchangeable with all of the other forms of the invention set forth.

It is a further feature of this invention that in the event a syringe needle is incorporated with the syringe one of the slidable plugs is arranged to be pierced by the needle to establish communication with the interior of the syringe barrel.

It is a further feature of this invention that in the event the syringe. barrel is not provided with a dislodgeable plug but is provided with a needle, that one of the slidable plugs is provided with a sealing means for sealing the open end of the needle.

,These and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the annexed specifications in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the syringe and package embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a section taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a section similar to FIGURE 2 illustrating a step in the operation of the syringe;

FIGURE 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a modification of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a section similar to FIGURE 2 showing a further modification of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a section similar to FIGURES 2 and 6 showing a further modification of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a section similar to FIGURES 2, 6 and 7 showing a still further modification of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged section along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged section along the line 10-10 of FIGURE 6.

Referring now more particularly to the dravw'ngs and particularly to the modifications shown in FIGURES 1-4 inclusive, the invention includes an entirely closed system for injectable medicaments and includes an upper cylindrical casing 20 having a closed end 21 and an open end 22. The casing 20 is formed of any desirable material but is preferably formed of a transparent plastic. The casing 20 is generally cylindrical in form except that adjacent its upper end it is provided with a means in the form of an internally reduced portion cooperating with the hereinafter described flange 26 of a syringe to prevent movement of the syringe within the casing 20 when the syringe has been filled and the package closed. As shown in the drawings, rather than having this reduced portion extend entirely around the upper end of the interior of the casing 20, the same effect is obtained by providing on the interior of the casing 20 a plurality of inwardly extending ribs 23 which terminate as at 23a, which ends 23a serve the same function as the end of a completely reduced internal diameter for the upper end of the syringe casing 20. As a matter of fact the same function may be obtained by use of a single rib 23 which may be of very short length, or a single inwardly extending bump or stop at the point 23a. A syringe 24 is provided, the upper end of which is adapted to be enclosed in the casing 20 as shown in FIGURE 2. This syringe 24 includes a barrel 25 which may have an outstanding upper flange 26 forming a finger grip. This flange 26 is the flange 26 hereinabove referred to as cooperating with the stop 23a to secure the syringe in the casing 20 when the package is closed. At its lower end the barrel 25 terminates in a downwardly extending boss 27. The boss 27 is provided with a bore or hole 28 in which may be cemented, as by an appropriate epoxy cement, a needle or cannula 29. The barrel at its lower end tapers as at toward the boss 27 and the bore 28 is enlarged as at 31 to form a seat for a plug 32. The plug 32 is preferably formed of a natural or synthetic rubber or rubber-like composition selected for its quality of being inert or impervious to the action of the drugs or diluent to which it may be subjected. A cover 33 which may have a plurality of radially extending wings 34 preferably equally spaced circumferentially about the axis of the needle cover is provided and has adjacent its upper end a top 35 which extends outwardly as at 36 and the outwardly extending portions 36 form a seat for the lower end of the casing 20 as shown in FIGURE 2. The cover 33 has an upstanding cylindrical portion 37 which extends upwardly from the top 35 and fits within and seals with the inner wall of the casing 20 when the casing is in place.

The cover 33 has a hollow cylindrical portion 38 which forms a press-fit on the boss 27 when the cover 33 is in place. From the cylindrical portion 38 the hollow needle cover may taper inwardly as at 39 to a top 40 of a cylindrical chamber 41. When a needle 29 is cemented in the bore 28 it normally passes through a hole or bore 42 in the top 40 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. Within the cylindrical chamber 41 is a plug 43 preferably formed of a natural or synthetic rubber or rubber-like composition similar to that of the plug 32 and as shown, the plug 43 has a pair of outstanding rings 44 and 45 designed to have a larger diameter than the interior diameter of the cylindrical chamber 41 so as to be received in the chamber under tension or a press-fit sufficient to retain the plug 43 in normal handling, such as in transit, but permitting plug 43, when as hereinafter described, it is desired to move the same within the chamber 41. The plug 43 has a centrally disposed upwardly facing opening 46 which extends only part-way through the plug 43, although, depending upon the resiliency of the plug 43, this opening 46 may be omitted. The cylindrical chamber 41 is enlarged as at 47 and a plug 48 is seated therein having a pair of outwardly extending wings 49 and 50. The diameter of the wings 49 and 50 is larger than the interior diameter of the chamber 47 so as to normally retain the plug 48 in position therein, but as the plug 48 is formed of a natural or synthetic rubber or rubber-like composition similar to the plugs 32 and 43, it is resiliently seated in the chamber 47 with a press-fit for axial movement therein as hereinafter described. The enlarged portion 47 of the cylindrical chamber terminates at an open end 100.

In the embodiments of the invention shown in FIG- URES 14 inclusive, the exterior of the cylindrical chamber 47 is provided with a series of male threads 51 and a cap 52 having matching female threads 53 is adapted to be screwed on to the end of the cylindrical chamber 47 as indicated. The cap 52 has a bottom end wall 54 and an upstanding cylindrical portion 55 terminating with an end closure 56. The syringe 24 contains a conventional plunger 57 which may have an end flange 58 and which towards the lower end thereof is provided with a pair of rings 59 and 60 which form a press-fit with the interior of the barrel 24. The plunger 57 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced ribs 61 to prevent the plunger 57 from having side-ways movement in the barrel 24. The plunger 57 is preferably formed of a natural or synthetic rubber or rubber-like composition similar to that of the plugs.

In the embodiments shown in FIGURES 1-4 inclusive, an injectable medicament 62 shown here as a powder, may be housed within the lower end of the plunger 57 and the upper end of the plug 32. Furthermore, the enlarged cylindrical chamber 47 may contain a diluent 63 in the form of a liquid. It is however, within the capabilities of this invention to substitute a liquid medicament for the powder medicament 62.

The device above described is filled at the factory and shipped in the condition shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

When it is desired to use the same, the surgeon or nurse will first remove the casing 20. After removing the casing 20 the operator will then turn the cap 52 so as to make up the threads 51 and 53 causing pressure to be applied to the plug 48, which pressure is communicated to the liquid diluent 63 and thence to the plug 43 forcing the plug 43 upward in the cylindrical chamber 41 so that the sharpened end of the needle 29 enters the opening 46 and thereafter pierces the plug 43 thence establishing communication of the diluent 63 into the needle 29. However, it has been found that in a proper case the hole 46 may be omitted and the needle will pass through the entire plug 43. Further application of pressure by turning the cap 52 forces the liquid diluent 63 up the needle 29 and dislodges the plug 32. Thereafter continued pressure forces all of the liquid in the chamber 47 through the needle 29 into the barrel 25. This is the condition of the mechanism as shown in FIGURE 3. If the plunger has been fully placed in contact with the powder 62 this application of pressure will cause the plunger to be retracted to make room for the incoming diluent. Thereafter the cover 33 is removed or, stated conversely, the syringe is removed from the cover and the medicament 62 dissolved in the diluent 63 and is in condition to be injected into the patient.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURE 5, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in which the threads 51 are removed from the exterior of the chamber 47, the cap 52 is discarded and the plug 48 is replaced by a plug 48a which has a rounded protuberance 64. The device as shown in FIGURE 5 is operated in exactly the same manner as in the previous embodiment excapt that the diluent and the press-fits of the plugs are such that the mechanical advantage obtained by the screw cap 52 is unnecessary and all of the needed pressure can be applied to the plug 48a by thumb pressure on the protuberance 64. In a proper case the embodiment of FIGURE 5 may be used with each of the embodiments of this invention in place of the threaded cap 52.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 6, 9 and 10 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention which is generally similar to the embodiment shown in the previous figures. However. in this case the syringe 24 is not provided with a needle 29 and the boss 27a is tapered so that a conventional luer-type needle may be placed upon the boss 27a after the medicaments have been mixed and the syringe then used. The interior of the cover 33a, is tapered as at 38a to fit the taper 27a and the cylindrical chamber 410: is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses 65. In this embodiment, when it is desired to mix the diluent 63a with the powder 62a, the cap 52 is turned as before, applying pressure to the plug 48, the diluent 63a and thence to the plug 4311 which is generally similar to the plug 43 except that it does not have the central opening 46 therein. When the plug 43a is pressed sufficiently upwardly in the chamber 41a it will reach a point where the recesses 65 constitutes by-passes permitting the liquid to flow through the by-passes into the upper portion of the cylindrical chamber 41a through the hole 42a, the hole 28a, and thence into the syringe blowing the plug 32 from its seat and allowing the diluent 63a to mix with the powder 62a. As is well known in the art a bypass as herein used may be accomplished by the recesses 65 or by one or more internally extending protu'berances which force the plug 431: away from the wall of the chamber 41a.

FIGURE 10 illustrates the position of the plug 43a to permit the diluent to by-pass through the recesses 65.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 7 there is shown a device generally similar to those previously described with the exception that this device is designed to contain a liquid medicament 66. However, in this case the plug 43b is elongated somewhat and a central bore is formed therein the interior diameter of which is slightly smaller than the exterior diameter of the needle 29 and therefore receives the end of the needle .with a press-fit and seals the needle preventing loss of the fluid 66. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in the previous figures by eliminating the plug" 32 as. it is no longer needed. However as plug 32 can only be eliminated in case the medicament 66 is aliquid which is compatible over extended periods of time with the needle 29 or a solid medicament is used in place of the fluid 66 which is also similarly compatible with the needle'and is of sufficient size, if granular, so as not to plug the needle 29.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURE 8 there is shown a further embodiment of the invention and though it is shown as eliminating the plug 32 as in the case of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 7, the refinements of this embodiment are capable of being used with any of the previous embodiments. These refinements reside in the following: the enlarged cylindrical chamber 47b is extended in length; is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses or ribs 67 adjacent the top of said cylindrical chamber; and contains a pair of plugs 48b and 480 and a pair of diluents 68 and 69, the two of which are separated by the plug 48b. In the use of this device, when pressure is applied to the plug 48c it is communicated to the liquid 69, thence to the plug 48b, thence to theliquid 6'8 and thence to the plug 43. Such liquid pressure will force the plug 43 over the needle 29 as before, or if there is no needle, as in the embodiment of FIGURE 6, the diluent will be forced through the by-pass 65 and in any event enter the syringe 24. It will be appreciated that when the plug 48b has reached the upper wall of the enlarged cylindrical chamber 47b and the fluid contained above the plug 48b has been expelled then the plug 48c approaches the plug 48b, its liquid by-passes through the recesses or ribs 67 and both the diluents 68 and 69' are mixed into the syringe. The chamber shown in FIGURE 8 may, in fact, contain practically any number of plugs such as 48b and 480 and thus can contain 3, 4 or more separated diluents such as 68 and 69. In FIGURE 8 the line x-x indicates a line on which the embodiment may be cut off and in FIGURES 2, 6 and 7 the line y-y indicates the line where these devices may be cut and the lines xx of FIGURE 8 may attach at the lines y--y.

It will be appreciated that there has been described a completely contained package for an injectable, including a syringe for injecting the medicament into the patient and including a cover, which when operated will force either one or two or more diluents upwardly into the syringe for mixing with the medicament contained within the syringe.

While there has been described what is at present considered are preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention and it is intended to cover herein all such changes and modifications as come withinthe true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A novel syringe construction comprising a syringe barrel having an open end and a closed end, a plunger received in the open end of said barrel and adapted. to be longitudinally reciprocated therein, a centrally disposed boss having a passage therethrough extending from the closed end of said syringe barrel, a cover structure, one end of which seals on said boss and, adjacent the other end of said cover, a chamber having an open end, a first stopper slidably mounted in said chamber and sealing said open end of said chamber with a press fit, a second stopper in said chamber normally spaced from said first stopper, said second stopper being slidable within said chamber but having a press fit therein, and communicating means in proximity to said second stopper and communicating said chamber and said syringe barrel, said chamber being adapted to contain a fluid between said first and said second stoppers whereby upon the exertion 'of pres sure on said first stopper said fluid communicates said pressure to said second stopper and slidably moves said second stopper to open communication for said fluid to said communicating means and said syringe barrel.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said syringe is provided with a seat adjacent the bottom end of said barrel, a third stopper normally seated upon said seat with a press-fit and said third stopper being adapted to be dislodged into said barrel upon the said exertion of pressure upon said first and second stoppers.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which the bottom of said syringe plunger is so spaced from said third stopper as to provide a container for a medicament to be mixed with said fluid upon entrance of said fluid into said barrel.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said boss has an exterior adapted to fit the interior of the top of a syringe needle.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said boss on said syringe is provided with a cannula fixed in the passage therein; said second stopper being adapted to be pierced by said cannula upon upward movement of said first stopper and constituting said communicating means.

6. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which said boss on said syringe is provided with a cannula fixed in the passage therein; said second stopper being adapted to be pierced by said cannula upon upward movement of said first stopper and constituting said communicating means.

7. A device as set forth in claim 3 in which said boss on said syringe is provided with a cannula fixed in the passage therein; said second stopper being adapted to be pierced by said cannula upon upward movement of said first stopper and constituting said communicating means.

, 8. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said boss on said syringe is provided with a cannula fixed in the passage therein; said second stopper having a bore therein extending only partly therethrough, said bore having a lesser diameter than the outer diameter of said cannula whereby said bore receives the open end of said cannula and seals the same prior to upward piercing movement of said second stopper.

9. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said chamber is provided with male threads on the exterior thereof and a cap having female threads therein adapted to mate with said male threads and pressure means associated with said cap and contacting said first stopper whereby pressure is exerted upon said first stopper upon turning of said cap to make up said threads.

10. A device as set forth in claim 6 in which said chamber is provided with male threads on the exterior thereof and a cap having female threads therein adapted to mate with said male threads and pressure means associated with said cap and contacting said first stopper where by pressure is exerted upon said first stopper upon turning of said cap to make up said threads.

11. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said communicating means comprises: means preventing contact between the second stopper and a portion of the interior of said chamber upon upward movement of said second stopper.

12. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said communicating means comprises: a recess in the interior wall of said chamber providing a by-pass preventing contact between said second stopper and a portion of the interior of said chamber upon upward movement of said stopper.

13. A device as set forth in claim 2 in which said communicating means comprises a recess in the interior wall of said chamber providing a by-pass preventing contact between said second stopper and a portion of the interior of said chamber upon upward movement of said stopper.

14. A combination syringe package, syringe and chamber comprising a casing, a syringe including a barrel and a plunger partially housed in said casing, a bottom cover contacting said casing and forming a closed package therewith, said syringe barrel having a centrally disposed boss extending into said cover and contacting said cover with a press fit, said cover having a chamber adjacent one end thereof, said boss having a passage therethrough, said chamber having an open end, a first stopper slidably mounted in said chamber and sealing said open end of said chamber with a press fit, a second stopper in said chamber normally spaced from said first stopper, said second stopper being slidable within said chamber but having a press fit therein, and communicating means in proximity to said second stopper and communicating said chamber and said syringe barrel, said chamber being adapted to contain a fluid between said first and said second stoppers whereby upon the exertion of pressure on said first stopper said fluid communicates said pressure to said second stopper and slidably moves said second stopper to open communication for said fluid to said communicating means and said syringe barrel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Lockhart Ogle.

Ulert et al 128215 Ferguson. Ratclilf et a1.

Lockhart.

Visser 128-272 Sarnoff et al 128-272 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany.

D. L. TRULUCK, Primary Examiner. 

